NGT Directs District Magistrates Of Prayagraj And Kaushambi To Take Action Against Alleged Illegal Sand Mining in Yamuna

The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the District Magistrates of Prayagraj and Kaushambi districts in Uttar Pradesh to take action against the alleged illegal mining in the riverbed of Yamuna.

The The bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel (Chairperson), Justice Sudhir Agarwal (Judicial Member),Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member) said, “In absence of individual violators being party, we are of the opinion that appropriate course will be to direct the District Magistrates, Prayagraj and Kaushambi to look into the matter and take action as per law in the light of earlier directions of the Tribunal.”

The Tribunal was hearing the application filed raising grievances against illegal sand mining in the riverbed and within the stream of Yamuna at Prayagraj and Kaushambi districts of Uttar Pradesh.

The application stated that mining is being done with the help of heavy machines and using more than 1,000 boats at various locations, including Pahuwa, Pratappur, Nevadiya, Amiliya, Masiyari, Fulwa, Bisona, Asrawal, Manpur, Bhampur, Mishrpur, Nagawar, Gadispur, Bhikhana, Bebar, Palpur, Vidyapeeth, Majhiyari, Baswar, Bhilor, Nanda Ka Purva, Saidpur, and others.

400-500 overloaded trucks per day are going day and night though approval is only for 125 trucks, submit the applicant.

The applicant highlights that the Tribunal has already taken up this matter in Atul Singh Chauhan vs. Ministry of Environment and Forests & Climate Change & Ors. which was disposed of vide order dated 18.03.2021 in terms of recommendations of the Oversight Committee.

The applicant alleges that, in spite of the orders of the Tribunal, the violations are continuing.

The NGT, considering the matter, opined that in the absence of individual violators, the appropriate course of action would be to direct the District Magistrates of Prayagraj and Kaushambi to look into the matter and take action as per law in the light of earlier directions of the Tribunal.

Consequently,the application was disposed of.

Case Title- Atul Singh Chauhan v. Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change & Ors.

Counsel for Applicant- Ms. Mukti Chowdhary

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